My husband and I were in our natural childbirth classes with Susan Bradford (which we loved) with the intention of delivering in the hospital. We wanted to do it as naturally as possible. After a few weeks of the class, we realized that having our baby at home could be the rich, beautiful, deep experience that we'd been dreaming about! Somehow, being in the hospital didn't match what we were feeling - being able to move around, knowing our "team" of people who would be with us the entire time, etc. Being 40 years old, I had nervousness about not progressing and ending up in C-section. (My ob/gyn was preparing me for this as a big possibility). At 32 weeks pregnant, we switched from hospital to home birth. Our decision felt so right for us and was totally confirmed when we met Claudette. She had no concern at all with my age and had total confidence in me. With her knowledge and expertise and just being who she is, we felt SO comfortable, and it never occurred to me that I would need to be transferred to the hospital. Having this confidence in Claudette and her assistant was everything I needed to relax and open the day my contractions started. I was "overdue" so I discussed with Claudette the possibility of taking castor oil. She has such a great sense of humor. She laughed and said, "Now, you tell me the minute you take it!" I think she knew that I would start contractions immediately. And I did. Within 2 hours I was in labor. My husband Patrick was timing my contractions and by that evening I felt the need to have Claudette there. She came to our apartment and checked me and I was only 1 cm. I was expecting her to say at least a 7 or 8cm dilated! She checked me and we discovered that I had scar tissue on my cervix and she applied pressure to some points and I popped open to 3 cm. Things started to slow down so we all tried to get some sleep. That night was challenging to try and sleep with minor contractions, and being so excited to have our baby in my arms. That morning, the baby turned "sunny side up" and I experienced back labor for about an hour. I have never experienced pain like this! Claudette had me get on all fours and she applied ice to my lower back (which is cold on the baby's face) - she didn't like it, and turned!!! Incredible!Finally, I got to 7 cm and trying different positions for laboring. I found one that was the most comfortable for going into transition - hanging on the shower door. After some time, I fell into the zone and my growling began. Finally, Claudette checked me and said I was ready to push. Music to my ears! I got into the tub and my contractions slowed down so I had to get out and deliver on the bed. I pushed for about an hour (the easy part for me). Claudette was so calm and strong - I knew I was in the best possible hands. The baby’s head came and then her body slid right out. I was in awe. They toweled off the bit of blood that was on her and laid her on my chest. This was her? The girl I carried for 9 months? She looked nothing like I imagined. She was this wise soul that pierced me with the one eye that was open. She started to suckle immediately and soon after I birthed the placenta. Claudette and her assistant were so attentive, loving and present with us - now as a family. After a long period of time, Patrick cut the cord and Claudette weighed our daughter in at 8lbs, 15 oz. Claudette and her assistant was so thorough with Deiva, with stitching me (very small) and with the after care that she gave to Deiva. Claudette came to our home the next day to check on us and brought Deiva a gift! Thank you, Claudette for bringing us OUR gift - bringing her home safe to us!
Claudette will remain in our hearts forever. She helped us have the exact experience we were hoping for.
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